Punanga Nui, Avarua, Rarotonga, Cook Islands

Advantages: Absolutely stunning scenery, friendly people
Disadvantages: Long time travelling

...are also available in case you miss the last bus. The most fun way to get around the island though, is via scooter! You can hire scooters from most resorts, and then you must ride it to the police station in the main township of Avarua to get your licence. Basically they take you on a short ride just to make sure you grasp the basics of riding it. We hired one for 3 days and it was a brilliant way to get around and into the back streets where most tourists don’t go. Getting around within the island group is a little trickier. Air Rarotonga flies a few times a day in small aircraft to the other islands in the group such as Aitutaki and Mangaia, and if you can manage to get to one of them even for just a day trip, do. It is so worth it. ACTIVITIES For the people of the Cook Islands, tourism is their main source of income... Read review

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Advantages: Beautiful weather, beaches, food, people, culture etc
Disadvantages: You can only stay for 6 months a year unless you're a resident

...Rarotonga in the Cook Islands is simply heaven on earth. Whether you are a backpacker a honeymoon couple or a family all are catered for on this fantastic island. The people are simply the most friendly I have ever met and after travelling the world I have met quite a few. I stayed in Tiare Village, Rarotonga which offers budget dorm style accomodation through to deluxe pool side apartments at excellent prices. The owner and manager go out of their way to ensure that it is your home from home. There is no shortage of accomodation from renting a beachside house to the luxury Edgewater Resort. The atmosphere of the whole island is so laid back that it runs on 'Island Time', and is the perfect location to do as little or as much as you like. I enjoyed snorkling in the 100m visability coral reef lagoon as well as sun bathing... Read review

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Advantages: romantic hideaway
Disadvantages: remote

...Looking out the window on this dreary Sunday makes me dream of some sunny beach somewhere in the Southern Seas. I have the most beautiful lagoon of the world in my mind, Bora Bora of the Society Islands, vulgo Tahiti. Or maybe number two - Aitutaki of the Cooks. We are sitting in a small Brazilian made "Embraer Bandeirante" cruising in low altitude across tranquil Southern Pacific waters. It is only a 50 minute flight from Rarotonga, the main island of the Cooks, to the magnificent lagoon of Aitutaki. As we approach the 3 km long landing strip, that used to be an U.S. airforce base in WW II, we can make out the white breakers on the reef and the iridescent shades of turquoise right below… There is even a nine hole golf course with fairways and greens quite differently "groomed" than the likes of Pebble Beach or Augusta... Read review

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